There are a lot of great books out there, and they do have their place. Especially, when the writers determined to submit to the Holy Spirit. Thus, He is the Author, and they are scribes. The Holy Spirit is the Author of the Bible, and those who physically wrote each book were scribes. Like dictation, they wrote what they heard.
    1 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
   Moreover, these books align with Scripture, which was the intent of the writers. Their hearts had no hidden agendas. Their interest was the will of God, and to share what they were taught. Again, by the will of God, and to His glory. When the content of the books is Spirit led, they bear will witness to our spirits.
   Without going deep into this subject, sometimes such books cause confusion to some readers. Why? Because they have strongholds, which are false teachings they received as truth. Sometimes, what we hear from others is a little off, or maybe way off. This is why it is important to pay attention to the Spirit’s promptings. “This feels off.” When someone feels confused by truth, it means he didn’t have the truth to begin with. That may sound obvious, but if you have a stronghold, it will not so apparent.  When you have the truth, you cannot be confused.
   There are many not-so-great books that should be left unread (great kindling, perhaps). The Bible clearly warns us of false teachers. That’s is not to say everyone who writes such books have evil intent. For example, some used human reasoning. This is why it is important to ask the Lord whether you should read a particular book. It may prove beneficial to be willing to hear, “No books at all.” More on this in a moment. In order for things to be truly spiritual in the positive sense, they must involve the Holy Spirit. Incidentally, this applies to people.
   1 Corinthians 2:12-16 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that He may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

When Books are Out of Place

As already stated, there are some books not worth considering, because they are unbiblical. That’s a no-brainer. That being said, even great books can be out of place. How so? In some instances, they are out of season. A person may not be in the proper season to read it, or maturity level as far as that goes. This gets back to asking God first. He is our ultimate Teacher Who knows what we need, and when we need it. For instance, He may want to teach you something without outside interference. A book may hinder what He is trying to reveal to you. Of course, the Lord may allow you read a book that might confirm what He has shown you. By the way, it is usually better to not seek confirmations. They will come at the proper time, if He feels you need one. Seeking them can lead to confirmation bias, which is a different subject.
   Sometimes, people become too dependent on books. This is especially true for those who have a difficult time understanding the Bible. Some have believed the lie that says, “Only certain people can understand it, and you are not one of them.” That would make God unequal.
   Part of seeking Him involves reading His Word, which is not meant to be studied as one might study a textbook. It works best to approached it relationally with Him. The Bible reveals God to us, and as it has been said, “It is His love letter to us.” As alluded to earlier, we need to be reliant on the Holy Spirit; not books.
   Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
   The renewing process involves reading Scripture with Him. The more we think like Him, the more we are able discern the things of God. That includes discerning what He considers to be great books, and which ones should be burned. When you know His truth, you cannot be confused by a lie. In short, ask Him whether you should read a book. He may have you read it now. He may have you wait for a while, or He may say, “No, not ever!” Stay open!

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Study to Show Yourself Approved

2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the Word of truth (NASB).
How many would say, “I take this passage of Scripture to heart, and I have been diligent in my studies; but lately, I haven’t got much out of it?” Perhaps, you fall under the category of a new convert, and find the Bible to be overwhelming, and hard to understand. It can be frustrating, and it may be tempting to place yourself under condemnation, because you feel you’re falling woefully short.
Take heart, lack of understanding of God’s word is not deal breaker. It’s question of the heart. There are some who can quote the Bible, but their hearts are no closer to God than the ones who haven’t read their first chapter. Moreover, some of them are quite distant from Him. Think about this: the Pharisees in the days of Jesus’ earthly ministry were of the strictest sect when it came to the Word of God; nonetheless, their hearts were far from Him.
The main thing is approaching Scripture with an honest, sincere heart. It is God’s intention for all of us to know His Word, which is one reason Holy Spirit lives in us. He is the Teacher, and leads us in all truth. If you truly desire His truth in the way He intended you to know, He is faithful to get you there.
John 16:13 Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself (of His Own initiative); but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall he speak: and He will shew you things to come.
Here are few things you might find helpful. To be honest, one part may sound counterintuitive at first, but at least consider it.

Ask, Seek and Knock

Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
A great place to start is here: ask, seek and knock. With these, one might add, believe. Verse 11 tells our Father gives good gifts to them who ask. Remember, God is good, and He wants you to know Him and His Word.
The Bible is not a textbook. It is a library of books that is both spiritual, and relational by design. Spiritual things require Holy Spirit, in order for us to grasp them (1 Corinthians 2:9-16). Think relationally when it comes to the scriptures. Not only study to get to know Him, but study with Him.

Step Back and Reset

This may sound counterintuitive, but there may be a time when you study and read less than normal. Some tend to double down when they feel like they’re not gaining anything. That may prove unfruitful for a couple of reasons. One reason is it becomes an exercise of self-effort, where a person relies less on Holy Spirit, and more on his own effort.
A second reason is that after studying a great deal, you can come to the point where you feel like you already know what’s being said, before even reading whatever passage of Scripture you’re about to study.  Thus, missing what the Lord wants to reveal to you, because your mind is closed to anything new. It’s not intentional, but it happens.
 By stepping back, and resting in Him, you position yourself to see something you haven’t seen before. In fact, when reading the Bible, it pays to read it as if it’s the first time ever.
Of course, if you stay focused on certain books, such as the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), or just the New Testament for example, it might be time to dig into the other books. Which leads to one more thing.

Be Systematic

Isaiah 28:9-10 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall He make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.
In order to be spiritual, some have adopted the idea of merely opening their Bible, closing their eyes, and then blindly bringing their index finger down on the page, and start reading where ever it lands. If Holy Spirit leads a person to do it that way, by all means he should go for it. Just opening the Bible, and reading wherever it opens does have merit, simply because one is reading God’s Word, and His Word does not return void. However, it may not be very fruitful sometimes.
When it comes to daily study or devotional, it may be more useful to start with chapter one, and read as you would a chapter book. One verse at a time, chapter to chapter, book to book. Perhaps, read from Genesis to Malachi, Matthew to Revelation, and then repeat. In course of using this method, you may start finding cross references along the way. Of course, the Lord may lead you to study certain topics.

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